Warren Jeffs Rests His 'Defense' In Sexual Assault Case
Aug. 4 2011, Published 12:45 p.m. ET
- RadarOnline.com Senior Reporter
UPDATE: Jurors have asked the judge to listen to the audio tape of Jeffs having sex with the 12-year-old girl again. They also asked for the transcript of one witness who is part of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Polygamist cult leader Warren Jeffs rested his bizarre defense in his trial on Thursday and now a Texas jury will decide if he is guilty of sexually assaulting two young girls, ages 12 and 15.
Jeffs acted as his own lawyer and was allotted a 30 minute closing argument time where initially he sat silent, staring at the floor expressionless.
After 20 minutes he stopped staring forward and stared at the prosecutors and the jury, then after 26 minutes he said "I am peace," once and remained silent the rest of the time.
After his 30 minutes were up Judge Barbara Walther declared the trial concluded and ordered the jury to begin deliberating according to the Salt Lake Tribune.
The leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints called only one witness for his defense, church elder JD Roundy whom he questioned on religious matters, but did not present any evidence for his defense.
Jeffs is accused of raping the two young girls whom he took as so-called "spiritual wives." Prosecutors presented horrific tape recordings of Jeffs having sex with the 12-year-old girl, where he ordered her to "take your clothes off," as she was heard crying.
Jurors dabbed their eyes with tissues as they heard him say "How do you feel, doesn't it feel good," and then telling the girl "just don't think about the pain."
The prosecutors also presented DNA evidence to show that Jeffs fathered a child with the 15-year-old girl.
Jeffs may face life in prison if convicted.
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